NAKED TRUTH AND THE STORYTELLING ANIMAL

Evolutionary Neuroscientist PEGGY LA CERRA tells us why it’s time to take a deep dive into the ultimate story: Reality.

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THERE’S AN OLD PARABLE about Truth and Story I’d like to revisit and rewrite. Roaming the land in search of a home, Truth comes to a village. He enters, expecting to be given a warm welcome, but the townsfolk ignore him. Disappointed, he wanders on until he comes to another village. Determined not to be ignored again, he summons up his courage, strides to the center of the square, and proclaims his value. The people sneer at him and shout, “Fool!”

Scared and confused, Truth escapes the crowd and travels on. As night falls, he comes to a third village. Hesitant to enter, he stops to reason, “Perhaps if I wait until morning and make my appearance in the pure light of dawn, people will be able to appreciate my value.” So, the next morning he walks into town just as the sun is rising. Before he can utter a word, the people scream, “Pervert!” and pelt him with stones. He flees to the woods and collapses in tears.

As the moon rises, Truth hears cheering in the distance. Peering out from behind a tree, he sees Story entering the village, where the jubilant townsfolk are hosting a celebration in her honor. The disparity between his welcome and hers is more than Truth can bear, and he lets out a loud wail of despair. Story hears the cry and follows it out into the woods.

Finding Truth huddled there with tears streaming down his cheeks, she lowers her gaze and asks, “Friend, what has caused you so much pain?” Truth tells her how badly the villagers have treated him. “Well, of course the people shun you!” she said. “No one wants to be exposed to the naked truth!” Then Story dresses him up in some of her shimmering garments. Together they return to town where they’re welcomed as beloved guests.